 "People pay tribute to Shiv Sena supremo
Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on Thursday. PTI")
The founder and supremo of Shiv Sena, Bal Thackeray, died at the age of 86 on November 17, 2012. His death marked the end of an era in Maharashtra politics.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
On this day in 2003, Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger was inaugurated as the 38th governor of California. Meanwhile, the Suez Canal which was considered an architectural marvel of the 18th century, was officially opened in Egypt for the first time in 1869.
Here is all that took place on this day across the world.
Bal Thackeray passed away
The stalwart of Maharashtra politics, Bal Keshav Thackeray, breathed his last on November 17, 2012. His death at Matoshree in Mumbai, brought the city and much of Maharashtra to a complete standstill.
Thackeray was born in Pune on January 23, 1926 and began his career as a political cartoonist with The Free Press Journal before launching his own publication, Marmik, in 1960. Through sharp satire and strong Marathi nationalist sentiment, he voiced the frustrations of the local Marathi-speaking population against the dominance of migrants in Mumbai.
In 1966, he founded the Shiv Sena, a party that initially focused on securing jobs and opportunities for “sons of the soil.” Over time, the Sena evolved into a major political force in Maharashtra, embracing Hindu nationalism and playing a pivotal role in the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. Thackeray’s leadership style was marked by fiery speeches, authoritarian control, and charisma that earned him both admiration and criticism.
Thackeray was often called the “remote control” of the government during Shiv Sena’s rule in Maharashtra in the 1990s, guiding decisions from his residence, Matoshree. He maintained a loyal following that revered him as a protector of Marathi pride.
Arnold Schwarzenegger inaugurated as the governor of California
Hollywood actor and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger was inaugurated as the 38th governor of California, marking one of the most remarkable transitions from celebrity to statesman in American history. His swearing-in ceremony, held on the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, drew global attention and symbolised a new era in state politics.
Schwarzenegger, best known for blockbuster roles such as The Terminator and Predator, entered politics during the 2003 California recall election, a rare political event triggered by widespread dissatisfaction with then-Governor Gray Davis over the state’s budget crisis and energy problems. Running as a Republican with a promise to “clean house in Sacramento,” Schwarzenegger’s charisma and outsider image resonated with voters weary of partisan gridlock.
Winning with over 48 per cent of the vote, he became only the second foreign-born governor in California’s history. In his inaugural address, Schwarzenegger vowed to restore fiscal discipline, create jobs, and reform the state’s political system. He declared, “I will not rest until our fiscal house is in order,” setting the tone for his first term focused on economic recovery and government accountability.
His tenure began with immediate challenges, including balancing California’s massive budget deficit and dealing with powerful public sector unions. Despite early scepticism about his lack of political experience, Schwarzenegger managed to win bipartisan support for several key reforms and later earned reelection in 2006.
Suez Canal opened in Egypt
The Suez Canal, which was one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century, was opened officially on this day in 1869 in Egypt. The canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, transformed global trade by providing a direct maritime route between Europe and Asia.
The Suez Canal was the vision of French diplomat and engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps after securing a concession from Egypt’s ruler Said Pasha in 1854. Construction began in 1859 and took a decade to complete, involving immense human and technical challenges. Tens of thousands of Egyptian labourers were employed in digging the 193-kilometre (120-mile) waterway through desert and marshland.
The grand opening ceremony in Port Said was a lavish affair attended by European royalty and dignitaries, including Empress Eugénie of France, wife of Napoleon III. The celebration featured a procession of ships sailing through the canal, fireworks, and banquets — a spectacle symbolising Egypt’s entry into modern global commerce.
This Day, That Year
The first film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s popular Twilight Saga premiered in Los Angeles in 2008.
The National Rifle Association was granted a charter by New York State in 1871.
In 1800, the US Congress held its first session in Washington, DC.
With inputs from agencies